Timm:
Happy Birthday, bro! As usual, I'm sending this message from too far away. Always too far. We always meant to make this a closer, more frequent, more intimate communication, didn't we? We tried, but it was an errant thing. I think we meant to be better brothers. It was always so easy to talk in the later years, I felt like you and I were twins of some sort, separated by births seven years distant from each other. But maybe that was just your way of making everyone you touched feel at ease. At home. At whatever cost that privately meant to you. Sojourner, adventurer, lover of beauty, man of God, friend of Bill W., far-flung brother in heart and art and ways that still smart, we remember you today and thank God you were born on this earth and carried your own unique love as far as that could go. Happy Birthday from all of us who remember you today, whether here on this communal site or in private conversation with you.
-- Love, David
Hey buddy ...
Happy Birthday! You are loved, appreciated and so sorely missed. It is hard to imagine the hole that has been left behind in my heart and in those around me. Can't wait to reconnect.
-- Love ya ... Ken
Happy Birthday, Timm!
Forty-five years ago when you were wheeled out of the delivery room in a little bassinet, someone looking at your big barrelled chest commented that you would either be a football player or a preacher.
Wrong on the first part and at least somewhat right on the second. You never wore a clerical collar or went to seminary, but you epitomized the ministry of the laity. At your memorial service, one lady remarked to me that you were like Johnny Appleseed, spreading love, compassion and the love of God to all whose lives you touched.
We here in Florida saw that compassion operate first hand last year when you came for Nick's funeral. Nick, your nephew, had been killed instantly in an auto accident. You came to comfort and support your sister Molly and her family. We all felt a love that was beyond you.
Who would ever have imagined that a year later, you would die almost as suddenly as Nick? I understand from the attending doctor in the emergency room of Salem Hospital that you never regained consciousness...so, for you, death came suddenly as it did for Nick.
Time stood still for us that early Friday morning of April 18, and life has changed forever. Better I think, because of all that we have experienced of the prayers, love and comfort that we have received from your friends and family. Better, most of all, because I, for one, felt the touch of God through the experience, and through those who spoke at your service.
I have said many times that through your death, I discovered your life; I recovered the son whom I thought I had lost because of distance between Oregon and Florida. So, on this your 45th birthday, I send my love which I know transcends death. You are now larger than life, as we know it, and the ministry of love and compassion that you began here will continue in ways that I do not understand. But, I am convinced that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion. I am sorry for all the pain and struggle that was so much a part of your life. However, I am amazed that your pain motivated you to care for others who were also hurting.
Thank you for being my son ... no longer the little boy who loved to fish, explore, and play the guitar, but a man who continues to serve his Lord in a greater mission. I believe that you heard Jesus saying, "Welcome home, son. Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of your Lord." You are leading the way for us, and may we all so live that we, too, may follow where you have gone ... into the presence and kingdom of our Heavenly Father. See you later, my son.
-- Love, Mom
A Birthday Greeting!
To Timothy Worden Cohea O'Cobhthaigh
Your earthly father gives thanks for you and to you
You gave heart to others in life and in death
We are all gifted by your Christ incarnate spirit
Love you
-- Dad
My fingers have been above the key pad for ten minutes now unsure of what to say but knowing that there is so much that could be said. Timm and Christy, my sister, shared a truly gifted love. I remember watching them interact with each other and thinking that at times they were almost one. Their love was a blessing. Timm was quickly becoming a part of our family. We will miss the holiday conversations around the table where laughter was heard above all. Timm we will miss you dearly. The love you gave to my sister will forever be a gift. -- Donna L. Robinson
Wrong on the first part and at least somewhat right on the second. You never wore a clerical collar or went to seminary, but you epitomized the ministry of the laity. At your memorial service, one lady remarked to me that you were like Johnny Appleseed, spreading love, compassion and the love of God to all whose lives you touched.
We here in Florida saw that compassion operate first hand last year when you came for Nick's funeral. Nick, your nephew, had been killed instantly in an auto accident. You came to comfort and support your sister Molly and her family. We all felt a love that was beyond you.
Who would ever have imagined that a year later, you would die almost as suddenly as Nick? I understand from the attending doctor in the emergency room of Salem Hospital that you never regained consciousness...so, for you, death came suddenly as it did for Nick.
Time stood still for us that early Friday morning of April 18, and life has changed forever. Better I think, because of all that we have experienced of the prayers, love and comfort that we have received from your friends and family. Better, most of all, because I, for one, felt the touch of God through the experience, and through those who spoke at your service.
I have said many times that through your death, I discovered your life; I recovered the son whom I thought I had lost because of distance between Oregon and Florida. So, on this your 45th birthday, I send my love which I know transcends death. You are now larger than life, as we know it, and the ministry of love and compassion that you began here will continue in ways that I do not understand. But, I am convinced that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion. I am sorry for all the pain and struggle that was so much a part of your life. However, I am amazed that your pain motivated you to care for others who were also hurting.
Thank you for being my son ... no longer the little boy who loved to fish, explore, and play the guitar, but a man who continues to serve his Lord in a greater mission. I believe that you heard Jesus saying, "Welcome home, son. Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of your Lord." You are leading the way for us, and may we all so live that we, too, may follow where you have gone ... into the presence and kingdom of our Heavenly Father. See you later, my son.
-- Love, Mom
A Birthday Greeting!
To Timothy Worden Cohea O'Cobhthaigh
Your earthly father gives thanks for you and to you
You gave heart to others in life and in death
We are all gifted by your Christ incarnate spirit
Love you
-- Dad
My fingers have been above the key pad for ten minutes now unsure of what to say but knowing that there is so much that could be said. Timm and Christy, my sister, shared a truly gifted love. I remember watching them interact with each other and thinking that at times they were almost one. Their love was a blessing. Timm was quickly becoming a part of our family. We will miss the holiday conversations around the table where laughter was heard above all. Timm we will miss you dearly. The love you gave to my sister will forever be a gift. -- Donna L. Robinson
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ReplyDeleteThanks to Dave, Bill and Ken for your remembrances of and to Timm. They are much appreciated. Dave, your words are so poetic and always touch my heart. Thank you for all your hard work on this site. Ken, I think of you often, for I know how close you and Timm had been over the years. We are all missing him so much. Bill, do you remember 45 years ago? Do you remember that Timm cried so much while we were in Evanston Hospital that his pediatrician advised us to buy a pacifier on the way home? We did, and he became addicted to it. We would be in an absolute frenzy whenever that "pacey" was misplaced... Hmmm wonder about the future implications of that? One of my favorite memories of Timm was when he used a broom handle to push open the lock on the front screen porch. He took his first adventure (of many more to come) walking down Church Street towards a very busy highway. His travels were interrupted by a kind lady who lured him into her home with the offer of cookies. Whereupon, she called the police and Timm returned home in a police cruiser. Timm is truly home now and his adventures and travels far exceed any he had while here on earth. Good way to go, Timm. Love, Mom
ReplyDeleteDonna, You may not read this comment, but I greatly appreciate what you wrote about Christy and Timm. Although I never saw them together, I discerned that Timm deeply loved her. He is now removed from our sight, but not from our hearts. I pray that Christy may sense his love for her even when she cannot feel it. May the experience of the healing love of Jesus Christ give her the grace, in time, to go on with her life - Timm would want that. Thanks, Donna. Mary Cohea
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